contemplating the intersection of work, the global economy, and Christian mission

Jul 29, 2008

WSI: Other Measures

The relationship between longer lives, more income, and greater
freedom, and other aspects of prosperity show up in other indicators as
well. Here are just three:

Keep in mind that the population of the world has nearly doubled
over the time elapsed in these graphs. Thus, if the percentages are
increasing, the absolute numbers are growing rapidly. I could go on
with more stats like the precipitous drop in conflicts around the world
over the fifteen years (click here) but you get the picture. The world is becoming a more prosperous place for more and more people!

With that said, I want to be clear on a few issues. Nothing I’ve
written in these last three posts in any way justifies colonialism or
the horrific abuses that have occurred with oppression. Nor does it justify
interventionist acts committed by the United States and other world
powers in pursuit of their own interest. Nor does it suggest that there
isn't abuse today or that every corner of the world is growing
prosperity. But what it does suggest is that, in a stumbling bumbling
manner, the world has been experiencing a widespread, and spreading,
outbreak of prosperity that dwarfs anything humanity has encountered
before.

In the next few posts I want look at what sparked the changes
of the last three centuries.

(For further enlightenment, I'd also invite you to check out this
entertaining and informative 20 minute presentation at the TED
conferences by Hans Rosling about the improving state of the world.)